The AFP has donated eight electronic bikes (e-bikes) and provided specialised bicycle training to Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS), giving Samoan police another tool to keep their communities safe.
The AFP, through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP), has handed over the e-bikes in preparation for Samoa to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October next year.
AFP Detective Superintendent Daniel Evans said it was a privilege for the AFP to deliver the training to ensure officers could get the most out of the e-bikes.
“The AFP has delivered the e-bikes and training to an extremely dedicated police unit who are always out on the road working diligently to keep Samoa safe,” Detective Superintendent Evans said.
“The AFP will continue to work closely with Samoan police to boost capability for events like CHOGM next year, but also beyond.”
Detective Superintendent Evans added:
“The AFP is entrusted by our Pacific partners to deliver training but these partnerships are truly symbiotic. We learn so much from our Pacific policing family and we are grateful for their continued partnership.”
SPPCS Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said he was grateful for the partnership with the AFP and Australian Government.
“This is an historic moment for the Samoa Police Service, and I am very proud of all the officers who have graduated from the training course,” Commissioner Filipo said.
SPPCS Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo further observed:
“The training and e-bikes will greatly assist the Ministry of Police and Corrections with its preparations for the CHOGM meeting next year as well as improve the standard of our service delivery on a daily basis.”
The e-bikes are the first in Samoa and are fitted with policing lights and service bags. The e-bikes give officers the opportunity to proactively patrol their communities and will allow them to visit more remote areas not accessible by cars.
The AFP’s Learning and Development Command Driver Training Team also delivered three Bicycle Patrol Operations Programs to 16 police officers, including a train-the-trainer program so Samoan police can now take the skills they have learnt and train others, including other Pacific police forces.
Samoa Police is now exploring how the e-bikes can be used to patrol communities on remote islands that don’t have police stations, roads, or cars.
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